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E. HART.

APPARATUS FOR GONDENSING NI TRIG ACID, 8:0. No. 525,761. Patented Sept.11, 1894.

I filed/Zion fwm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

EDWARD HART, ,oE EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, JOHN T.BAKER, AND GEORGE I. 'ADAMsoN, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR CONDENSING NITRIC ACID, C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 525,761, datedSeptember 11, 1894. Application filed September 5, 1893. Serial No.484,814. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD HART, a citizen of the United States,residing at Easton, county of Northampton, and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus forCondensing Nitric Acid and other Vapors, fully described and representedin the following specification and the accompanying drawing, forming apart of the same.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for the concentration ofvapors and especially for the condensation of nitric and similar acidsfrom gaseous into liquid form. The improved apparatus depends upon theprinciple of the division of the current of vapor so as to secure alarge cooling surface and diminish the friction of the gases, and thatof the high degree of refrigeration secured by the evaporation of liquidfrom the surface of pipes or equivalent conveyers through which thegases are passed.

For a full understanding of the invention a detailed description of anapparatus for condensing nitric acid embodying the invention in thepreferred form will now be given in connection with the accompanyingdrawing showing the apparatusin diagrammatic side elevation, and thefeatures forming the invention then specifically pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawing, A is the retort which may be of any suitable form andfrom which the gaseous nitric acid passes through the pipe B into thevertical pipe 0 which communicates by a series of horizontal pipes Dwith a second vertical pipe E opening at its base into the receiver F,which may be of any suitable form and is preferably provided at itsupper end with the vent pipe at for non-condensible gases. Above thepipes D is the water supply pipe G perforated or slit in any suitablemanner to supply the amount of cold water required by sprinkling thesame over the pipes D. As the pipes D are quite hot the water isevaporated therefrom, and by constructing the pipe G so as to properlyregulate the water supply, all, or substantially all, of the water maybe evaporated from the pipes so as not to necessitate provision forcarrying off the surplus water. It will be understood, however, that itis not essential that all the watershould be evaporared, and a trough Hmay be used below the pipes B, as shown, to carry off any surplus water,or other suitable provision be made for this purpose.

The vertical pipes G, E are preferably made of stoneware or othersimilar material suitable to resist the attack of the acid, and thepipes D are preferably made of glass or other material suitable toresist the attack of the acid'and at the same time conduct the heat fromthe gas quickly so as to secure the proper cooling action.

The number, size and length of the pipes C, D, E and other parts of theapparatus will be varied as is necessary in order to secure perfootcondensation of the gas, it being obvious that this will depend somewhatupon the size of the retort and other circumstances, and Such variationbeing within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

A construction which has been found efficient is produced by making thevertical pipes C, E about three inches in diameter and the pipes D aboutone inch in diameter and six feet or more in length. It will be seenthat by thus dividing the current of vapor, I socure large coolingsurfaces and diminish the friction of the gas and by the evaporation ofthe water I secure a large and rapid absorption of heat, and am thusenabled to provide a very eflicient apparatus.

It will be understood that the term horizontal as herein used inconnection with pipes D does not mean that these pipes must beabsolutely horizontal, as they may be inclined somewhat toward eitherthe retort or receiver. By the term horizontal, therefore, I mean onlythat they should be horizontal or approximately horizontal, so as toexpose the pipes throughout their length to the action of a sprinklerplaced above them and to secure the prolonged cooling action whichresults from a slow current of the condensed or partially condensedliquid.

While the invention has been described in connection with water as thecooling medium, as this is the liquid commonly used, it will beunderstood that any other suitable liquid may be used for this purpose.The apparatus has been described in connection with the preparation ofnitric acid, but it will be una perforated liquid supply pipe abovesaid,

pipes, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a retort and receiver, of two vertical pipesconnected at their bases respectively to the retort and receiver,horizontal pipes arranged one above the'other connecting said pipes, andbetween which horizontal pipes the vapor is divided on its path from theretort to the receiver and a perforated liquid supply pipe above saidhorizontal pipes, substantially as described.

4. The combination with retort A, of the vertical pipe 0 connected atits base with said retort, vertical pipe E having receiver F at itsbase, horizontal pipes D arranged one above the other and connectingsaid vertical pipes, and between which horizontal pipes the vapor isdivided on its path from the retort to the receiver and perforatedliquid supply pipe G above said horizontal pipes, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

I EDWARD HART.

' Witnesses:

THEo. R. RICKER, JOHN S. NOBLE.

